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Spring is the season when Magnolia Townhomes wakes up — not just the flowering magnolias and budding lawns, but also the insects and rodents that have been lying low through winter. As temperatures rise and food and water become more abundant, pests move from sheltered harborage into living spaces, landscaping, and building cavities. For townhome…

As winter loosens its grip on Rainier Beach and March brings milder, wetter days, homeowners and renters should shift their attention from cold-weather comforts to early pest prevention. This neighborhood’s mix of older homes, dense tree canopy, community gardens and nearby wetlands creates plenty of shelter and food for rodents, insects and other pests. Because…

As Lake City warms with the coming weeks, residents are noticing a familiar but increasingly conspicuous sign of the season: ants. What might have been an occasional trail along a patio or a few scouts in the kitchen is becoming a steady stream of activity in yards, sidewalks and inside homes. That seasonal uptick is…

As temperatures creep up and daylight lengthens, Seattle’s waterfront — from the ferry terminals and marinas to the bustling piers and shoreline parks — transitions out of winter dormancy. That transition also signals an uptick in activity for urban rodents. Rats and mice that have survived the cold rely on sheltered harbors, food waste from…

Pioneer Square’s historic brick facades, narrow alleys and dense mix of restaurants, bars, offices and retail make it one of the city’s most characterful — and pest-prone — commercial districts. As March ushers in milder temperatures and more frequent rain, many pests that slowed during winter begin to re-emerge and seek new food, water and…

First Hill’s mix of older apartment buildings, dense multi-family housing, and convenient access to downtown makes it a desirable place to live — and, unfortunately, a place where rodents can thrive. Rats and mice are attracted to the same things residents value: food, shelter, and close proximity to people. Warm basements, aging foundations, shared trash…

Lower Queen Anne’s mix of historic homes, apartment buildings, mature trees and compact yards creates an environment where ants can move in and thrive as soon as temperatures begin to climb. Early spring — when daytime highs start to hold above the chilly lows of winter and soils gradually warm — is the time when…

Montlake, a historic and tree-lined neighborhood in Seattle, is prized for its picturesque older homes, Craftsman bungalows, and waterside properties. Those charming character houses—many with original trim, wooden siding, attic spaces and mature landscaping—also bring maintenance challenges that become especially visible as winter gives way to spring. As temperatures rise and daytime humidity increases, both…

As snow melts and temperatures rise, many View Ridge residents notice an unwelcome change: rodent activity suddenly becomes more visible. What looked like a quiet winter retreat for mice, rats, and other small mammals can turn into a spring-time surge of sightings, chewed wiring, damaged insulation, and droppings in basements, attics, and garages. For homeowners…

As Bitter Lake moves out of the damp chill of winter and into the milder days of spring, homeowners and property managers should turn their attention to a small but persistent threat: ants. The neighborhood’s mix of mature trees, garden beds, and older homes creates plenty of attractive habitat for a variety of ant species,…